JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Forward Operating Location Kotzebue rescued a 70-year-old man who was injured while operating an all terrain vehicle approximately 34 miles northeast of Nome, Alaska, Thursday.
The Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced the ATV rider and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Nome.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received an agency assist request from the Alaska State Troopers at approximately 12:02 a.m. of an accident involving a man who reportedly injured his back while operating an ATV. The duty flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the medevac.
"For this particular medevac we deployed with two of our rescue swimmers to ensure the patient was immobilized during transport," said Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Canny, 17th District watchstander. "Our FOL crews from Air Station Kodiak have been deployed to the facility in the Arctic region since June 24th and provide a vital forward deployed presence in Western Alaska during the summer months."
Weather on scene was reported as 17 mph winds with a clear sky.